9 Gross Motor Activities for Preschoolers That’ll Have Them Bouncing Off the Walls (in a Good Way!)
Getting preschoolers moving and active is super important for their growth and development.
We love finding new ways to help our little ones build strength, coordination, and balance while having a blast! These foundational skills help them tackle everything from playing at the park to learning how to write.
Gross motor activities are perfect for helping preschoolers develop their large muscle groups and burn off extra energy through fun and engaging movement games.
Whether you’re stuck inside on a rainy day or enjoying the sunshine outdoors, we’ve got some amazing activities that will keep your tiny humans entertained while building those essential physical skills.
Let’s get moving and make some memories!
1) Dancing with scarves: Twirl, spin, and have fun!
Let’s get those little bodies moving with one of our favorite preschool activities – dancing with scarves!
Scarves make movement more exciting and feel like play rather than exercise.
Grab some lightweight scarves in fun, bright colors.
We love using these for dancing because they’re perfect for tiny hands to grip and wave around. Plus, they add a magical element that gets kids super excited to move!
Dancing with scarves helps develop important motor skills like balance, coordination, and spatial awareness.
When kids toss, catch, and wave their scarves, they’re building strength and control without even realizing it.
Put on some upbeat music and let’s dance!
Have the kiddos twirl their scarves high and low, fast and slow.
We love watching their faces light up as they create beautiful patterns in the air. Free dance with scarves is perfect for getting those wiggles out.
Don’t worry about perfect moves – this activity is all about having fun and expressing ourselves!
Some days our scarves might be butterfly wings, other days they’re swooshing ocean waves. The possibilities are endless when we let imagination take the lead.
2) Bean bag toss: Aiming fun for tiny hands!
Let’s get those little arms moving with this classic physical activity move that never gets old!
Bean bag tossing helps develop aim and hand-eye coordination in our tiny friends, plus it’s super fun.
We love bean bags because they’re easier for little hands to grasp than balls – no chasing after runaway toys! Plus, they’re gentle enough that we don’t have to worry about broken lamps or bumped heads.
Set up some hula hoops on the ground as targets and watch your kiddos light up with excitement.
You can even draw circles with chalk outside or use laundry baskets as targets – whatever works for your space!
Want to mix it up?
Try having your little ones balance the bean bags on different body parts while they walk to their throwing spot.
Head, shoulders, or outstretched hands – the giggles are guaranteed!
Remember to cheer on every attempt, whether the bean bag lands in the target or not. We’re all about celebrating the joy of movement and trying our best!
3) Balance beam time: Pretend it’s a pirate’s plank!
Let’s turn an ordinary balance beam activity into a swashbuckling adventure! Walking the plank is a super fun way to help our little ones work on their balance and coordination.
Don’t have a real balance beam? No problem!
We can create our own using a wooden plank or board laid flat on the ground. For extra safety, place some soft pillows or foam mats on the floor space either side.
Get into character by speaking like pirates – “Arrr matey, time to walk the plank!”
We love seeing our tiny pirates carefully making their way across while pretending the floor is shark-infested waters.
This pirate-themed balance activity builds confidence and gross motor skills without them even realizing they’re learning.
Mix it up by having them walk forwards, sideways, or even crawl across the “plank.”
We can make funny faces or wave our arms like we’re trying to keep our balance on a rocking ship. The giggles are totally worth it!
Remember to stay close by as a spotter – those imaginary sharks might be pretend, but safety always comes first with our little buccaneers!
4) Hopscotch indoors: Tape the floor and jump away!
Let’s bring the classic playground game inside! Indoor hopscotch using painter’s tape is super easy to set up and crazy fun for little ones.
We love creating zig-zaggy paths with squares on our floor.
Just grab some colorful tape and make a pattern that works for your space. No need to stick to the traditional hopscotch layout – get creative!
Want to make it extra fun?
Toss a bean bag onto the squares and have your kiddo hop to reach it.
Our preschoolers go wild for this!
You can even make paper plates or use cardboard squares instead of tape if you want something you can quickly pull out and put away.
Mix it up by having your little ones practice different moves – hop on one foot, jump with both feet, or even try skipping!
This awesome activity helps develop balance and coordination while burning off that endless preschooler energy.
5) Parachute play: Up, down, shake it all around!
Let’s get those little bodies moving with one of our absolute favorite activities – parachute play!
Parachute activities help kids develop essential gross motor skills as they squat, jump ropes lift, and move around.
We love playing “Popcorn” where we put lightweight balls on the parachute and make them bounce by shaking the fabric up and down.
The giggles are totally contagious when those balls start flying!
Another fun game we like is singing “Ring a Ring o’ Roses” while walking in a circle, then everyone falls down at the end. It’s simple but gets those little legs moving!
For our nature lovers, we can pretend the parachute is full of autumn leaves falling down.
Just place some silk leaves on top and sing along to “London Bridge” while watching them flutter around.
The best part?
These games teach teamwork naturally – everyone has to work together to play hard and make the parachute move just right.
Plus, watching their faces light up as that colorful parachute billows in the air is pure magic!
6) Balloon volleyball: Keep it in the air!
Get ready for some floaty fun with this super simple activity!
All you need is a balloon, and you’re set for some giggles and movement.
Balloon volleyball helps develop gross and fine motor skills while being an absolute blast.
Start by blowing up a balloon – any color works!
The goal is to keep that balloon floating in the air as long as possible by hitting it up with your hands, arms, or even your head.
We love how creative kids get with this one!
This awesome activity isn’t just fun – it’s secretly working on arm strength, balance hand eye coordination, and eye-hand coordination.
Plus, watching those little ones bounce around trying to catch the balloon is seriously adorable!
Want to make it more exciting?
Turn it into a game!
Count how many hits you can get before the balloon touches the ground, or set up a makeshift net using pillows and play volleyball with the kiddos.
Trust us, they’ll be begging to play this one again and again!
7) Animal walks: Slither like snakes or hop like frogs!
Let’s get wild and crazy with some fun animal movements that will have your little ones burning energy while giggling their hearts out!
We love this activity because it requires zero prep and can be done anywhere – perfect for those moments when the kids need to move their bodies.
Time to embrace your inner zoo!
Get down on the floor and show your kiddos how to move like different animals.
Slither on your belly like a sneaky snake, hop around like an excited frog, or crawl on all fours like a big bear. The sillier you make it, the more fun everyone will have!
These animal walking exercises aren’t just a blast – they’re amazing for developing coordination and strength too.
We’ve found that making animal sounds while moving really gets the kids engaged. Plus, seeing Mom or Dad pretending to be a penguin? Priceless!
Want to mix it up?
Try making it into a game where everyone takes turns picking the next animal to copy. Trust us, your preschoolers will be begging to play this one again and again!
8) Obstacle course: Adventure through pillows and tunnels!
Let’s turn your living room into the most epic adventure playground ever!
Create an indoor obstacle course using pillows, blankets, and anything soft you can find.
Trust us, your little ones will go wild for this!
Start by setting up tunnels for crawling adventures.
Pop some pillows inside the tunnels to make it extra challenging and cozy at the same time. Your kiddos will love squishing and squeezing their way through!
Make some stepping stones with cushions and mark off sections with masking tape on the floor.
We love watching our tiny adventurers hop from pillow to pillow like little frogs!
Add some fun challenges like crawling under chairs or jumping over small obstacles.
This awesome activity helps our preschoolers develop their spatial awareness and problem-solving skills while they’re having a blast!
Don’t forget to join in on the fun – being more active play silly with our kids makes everything more exciting! Plus, we could all use a little crawling and climbing exercise sometimes, right?
9) Simon says: Gross motor edition!
We absolutely love this classic game that gets kids moving and learning! Simon Says is perfect for preschoolers since it combines fun with developing important physical skills.
Let’s spice up the traditional game with some awesome gross motor commands.
Try “Simon says hop on one foot” or “Simon says crawl like a baby” to get those little muscles working!
Want to make it extra fun?
Add some silly movements like “Simon says march like a soldier” or “Simon says sway like a tree.” Our kids go crazy for these playful commands!
Don’t forget to mix in some stretching and sensory activities too.
We love saying “Simon says stretch to the sky” or “Simon says give yourself a big squeeze.” These movements help develop body awareness and coordination.
The best part? This game requires zero prep and can be played anywhere – perfect for those rainy days when the kids are bouncing off the walls! Plus, it sneakily works on listening skills while they’re having a blast.
Understanding Gross Motor Skills
Gross motor skills involve the coordination of large muscle groups that help our little ones with basic movements like walking, running, and jumping. These gross motor coordination skills are super important building blocks that develop throughout early childhood.
Why They Matter for Preschoolers
Let’s be real – watching our kiddos master these skills is not just about hitting milestones.
Physical activity boosts brain development, helping with memory, attention, and problem-solving abilities. Pretty cool, right?
These skills give our preschoolers confidence to play games with:
Join in playground fun with friends
Try new physical challenges
Stay active and healthy
Build stronger muscles and bones
Plus, when kids feel good about moving their bodies, they’re more likely to stay active as they grow up. We love seeing those proud smiles when they master something new!
How Gross Motor Skills Develop
Think of gross motor development like building blocks – for large motor skills, each skill builds on the last one. It starts with simple stuff and gets more complex as our little ones grow.
The progression usually looks like this:
First: Walking and running
Next: Jumping and hopping
Then: Climbing and throwing
Finally: Skipping and catching
Every other child development develops at their own pace, and that’s totally okay! Some days they might zoom ahead, and other days they might need extra practice – it’s all part of the journey.
We can help children by giving them lots of chances to move and play. Simple activities like dancing in the living room or playing catch in the backyard make a huge difference.
Creating a Fun and Safe Environment
Let’s set up the perfect space for our little ones to move, jump, and play! The right environment makes all the difference in helping preschoolers develop their gross motor milestones and skills while staying safe and having a blast.
Choosing the Right Space
We need a spacious area that’s free from obstacles where our kiddos can move around freely.
Indoor spaces like playrooms or cleared living rooms work great on rainy days.
A padded floor with yoga mats or foam tiles can make indoor activities so much more comfy and safe. Trust us, those little knees will thank you!
For outdoor fun, look for flat surfaces away from any hidden dangers like tree roots or holes. Grassy areas are perfect for activities that might involve some tumbles.
Ensuring Safety First
We’ve got to keep our tiny adventurers protected while they explore!
Make sure to remove any hazards like sharp objects or unstable furniture before starting any activities.
Key Safety Tips:
Keep first aid supplies nearby
Set clear boundaries for play areas
Use age-appropriate equipment
Supervise activities at all times
Soft playground equipment, like foam blocks and plastic hoops are amazing alternatives to hard materials.
We want to encourage exploration while keeping those precious noggins safe!
Remember to dress kids in comfy clothes that allow free movement. No loose jewelry or dangling accessories that could get caught during play.
Incorporating Gross Motor Activities in Daily Routine
Getting kids moving doesn’t need to be complicated!
With a few simple tweaks to your daily schedule, you can sneak in tons of other movement activities that will have your little ones building strength and coordination while having a blast.
Balancing Structured and Unstructured Play
Let’s keep it real – some days we’re super organized with planned activities, and other days we’re just winging it. Both approaches work great for getting those bodies moving!
Try turning everyday moments into movement opportunities. Dancing while folding laundry? Yes please!
Having a living room dance party during cleanup time? Now we’re talking!
We love setting up quick obstacle courses with couch cushions and pillows. It takes 2 minutes to set up but keeps them engaged in active play for ages.
Quick Movement Ideas:
Jump like frogs between tasks
Play “Red Light, Green Light” on the way to brush teeth
Have silly walk competitions down hallways
Do animal walks while picking up toys
Don’t stress if some days are more active than others. The key is making movement fun and natural, not another thing on your to-do list!
